Hervey Bay Triathlon Australia
Here's a quick race report from Matt
The course was pretty good I reckon, however I don't have much to compare it too. The water was calm and flat, as the bay is well sheltered, and the temperature of 22 deg meant that wetsuits were allowed, but not needed, and banned for the pros. The cycle course was pretty good, following the coast around to a point and back. It was two laps, on the whole the tarmac was OK but a bit patchy in some points but not dissimilar to Didsbury conditions. The run was perfect, boardwalk and paved path course out and back along the esplanade with plenty of overhead tree cover which was welcome come that point of the race.
We were fortunate enough to stay right over the road from the transition area, so we got up about 4:45am and had some breakfast and headed over for numbering and racking. The transition area was large and spacious which was good, and we soon found out there was only about 360 odd competitors which was less than expected.
Fast forward to the swim, 7am and I downed a gel and took our mark after the professionals went out. I was in in the under 35's wave, so we had about 40 odd people I think. There were more wetsuits than not. I held for a second at the start to let the bulk of the wave go in and then hit the water and got into a rhythm quickly and easily. After the first buoy we turned left for a 700m stretch and I must admit I found that a bit difficult as I couldn't see the buoy for a lot of the time due to fog in the goggles! I just followed the caps but soon lost most of the group and had to spot the buoys myself. It felt weird but I never really panicked, just kept swimming and enjoying it. I found the buoys just at the next wave came through, (3 min behind) and I had a chance to tack onto them and followed them into shore. I can't be certain but I think i came out of the water in 28 minutes, a big thrill! We expect the splits and photos to come out over next couple of days so I'll send you the link when that happens.
Into transition, I decided to put my shoes on first then mounted, so really only lost a minute or so there. Got up to speed OK and had another gel and some water, was sitting comfortably on 30 km/hr and then noticed I was getting overtaken! (Recall my feedback from Yeppoon two weeks ago and it was ME overtaking people) This was the most frustrating part of the race, I got up to about 32 km/hr and then hit 16 km and the pain started. I now realise my 'set up' last week was not optimal and probably worsened the situation compared to how I had it previously. By 25km I was having to get out of the saddle every 30sec or so to relieve the pain in lower back and ITBs. I couldn't get down on handles either without significant discomfort. In the end I said 'F**k it' and sat on 28 km/hr sucked down another gel on 36km and had a bit more of a drink and started thinking about the run.
Things turned around about 200m from transition when I successfully got my feet out of the shoes (first time!) and glided into the dismount without any issues. I was also inspired to find my hamstrings were fine, just a bit of stiffness in back but nothing too serious. Total leg 1 hour 24 minutes. I can sense your disappointment as I write this too.. yes, there is a lot of room for improvement.
I ran through transition, threw on the shoes (I was already wearing the race number) and hat and was out in no time. I left the Garmin on the bike but had my other total race time watch on, so I knew what I had to do to achieve 2 hours 45 minutes. I looked up and all the others who had overtaken me were just ahead and I went about hauling them in. I took them all and more, got stronger and stronger the further the run went on. A bloke in a MACCA one-piece red suit got on my shoulder for a few km and I burnt him off at 8km too. Came into the finish strong but held back on the sprint finish to ensure my own photo crossing the line!! ;) I estimate a 48 min run but will know for sure. All up 2 hours 41 minutes 51 sec I think. So I'm not a GIRL! Ha ha!
We were fortunate enough to stay right over the road from the transition area, so we got up about 4:45am and had some breakfast and headed over for numbering and racking. The transition area was large and spacious which was good, and we soon found out there was only about 360 odd competitors which was less than expected.
Fast forward to the swim, 7am and I downed a gel and took our mark after the professionals went out. I was in in the under 35's wave, so we had about 40 odd people I think. There were more wetsuits than not. I held for a second at the start to let the bulk of the wave go in and then hit the water and got into a rhythm quickly and easily. After the first buoy we turned left for a 700m stretch and I must admit I found that a bit difficult as I couldn't see the buoy for a lot of the time due to fog in the goggles! I just followed the caps but soon lost most of the group and had to spot the buoys myself. It felt weird but I never really panicked, just kept swimming and enjoying it. I found the buoys just at the next wave came through, (3 min behind) and I had a chance to tack onto them and followed them into shore. I can't be certain but I think i came out of the water in 28 minutes, a big thrill! We expect the splits and photos to come out over next couple of days so I'll send you the link when that happens.
Into transition, I decided to put my shoes on first then mounted, so really only lost a minute or so there. Got up to speed OK and had another gel and some water, was sitting comfortably on 30 km/hr and then noticed I was getting overtaken! (Recall my feedback from Yeppoon two weeks ago and it was ME overtaking people) This was the most frustrating part of the race, I got up to about 32 km/hr and then hit 16 km and the pain started. I now realise my 'set up' last week was not optimal and probably worsened the situation compared to how I had it previously. By 25km I was having to get out of the saddle every 30sec or so to relieve the pain in lower back and ITBs. I couldn't get down on handles either without significant discomfort. In the end I said 'F**k it' and sat on 28 km/hr sucked down another gel on 36km and had a bit more of a drink and started thinking about the run.
Things turned around about 200m from transition when I successfully got my feet out of the shoes (first time!) and glided into the dismount without any issues. I was also inspired to find my hamstrings were fine, just a bit of stiffness in back but nothing too serious. Total leg 1 hour 24 minutes. I can sense your disappointment as I write this too.. yes, there is a lot of room for improvement.
I ran through transition, threw on the shoes (I was already wearing the race number) and hat and was out in no time. I left the Garmin on the bike but had my other total race time watch on, so I knew what I had to do to achieve 2 hours 45 minutes. I looked up and all the others who had overtaken me were just ahead and I went about hauling them in. I took them all and more, got stronger and stronger the further the run went on. A bloke in a MACCA one-piece red suit got on my shoulder for a few km and I burnt him off at 8km too. Came into the finish strong but held back on the sprint finish to ensure my own photo crossing the line!! ;) I estimate a 48 min run but will know for sure. All up 2 hours 41 minutes 51 sec I think. So I'm not a GIRL! Ha ha!
I spoke to Matt and Cath via Skype video (brilliant!) and they are both up for other races and 'other' distances;)
A very respectable time for the Aussie tri virgin!
f2k
